FigCello is Fig-A-Licious

FigCello is one smooth liqueur made from black Mission figs blended with a hint of citrus, various botanicals, and distilled Wine Country grapes.

It’s the newest product from Sonoma’s HelloCello, a small artisanal distilled spirits maker. You may know its debut product, Limoncello di Sonoma.

The fig brandy, with 30 percent alcohol by volume, came about when Sondra Bernstein, owner of the Girl & the Fig in Sonoma was on the hunt for a fig liqueur for her restaurant. She approached Fred and Amy Groth of HelloCello, who were eager to take on the challenge.

The Groths taste-tested more than 30 blends before coming up with the winning one. To produce the first 60 cases of FigCello, the Groths handpicked more than 440 pounds of figs from their friend’s trees in Sonoma.

Recently, I received a sample bottle to try. It had me at first sip. Like a fine port, the FigCello has a lovely nuttiness to it. There also are notes of vanilla, orange and anise.

It’s wonderful sipped straight as an aperitif. It also would be fabulous in a pan sauce over duck, pork or chicken wrapped in bacon.

FigCello had been exclusive to the Girl & the Fig, where it’s served in the signature “Fig Kiss” cocktail.